The fatalities included 15 drivers, four passengers, five pedestrians and one motorcyclist. 19 of the victims were in vehicles equipped with seat belts, but only four were restrained.

Secretary of Law Enforcement Spencer Collier said, “One fatal crash is bad, but to have 20 fatal crashes resulting in 25 deaths is disturbing, particularly when seat belts were available to 19 of the individuals killed, but only four of them were buckled up.”

Col. John E. Richardson of ALEA’s Department of Public Safety agreed and said the motoring public must do better to ensure everyone in vehicles is using seat belts or child restraints. “It doesn’t matter whether you are traveling hundreds of miles or just running down to the corner gas station. Seat belts save lives,” he said.

Collier said due budget shortfalls, fewer troopers are patrolling the roads.

Collier said, “Troopers encourage everyone to make highway safety a priority — particularly when temperatures dip below freezing and ice may be present on roadways.”